Hallmark 59 Custom

[dubtrub]

I doubt seriously if the neck angle has anything to do with it. Mels guitar was not a 59 Custom but it was custom built by Bill Gruggett using Hallmark parts and labeled as a Hallmark. I was sure hoping they would have changed the design before getting these guitars on the market. I guess if one uses the vibrato with a light touch they should be OK. Kinda makes it rough for a surf guitar player though.

[MWaldorf]

I wonder if the issue is the fafnir bearings vs the needle bearings in the later designs. The distance from the bridge to the vibrato axis could play a role too. Personally I was hoping that Bob would have gone to the full plate vibramute for this as the Shade vibrato works well. Regardless it's a really pretty guitar.

[sleeperNY]

Thanks for you input and I may just contact Bob Shade about it. If push comes to shove we may just put the 60 model vibrato on it,

Jim

[MWaldorf]

Not to belabor the point, but the Shade vibrato isn't a direct swap in as the bridge posts on the 59 Custom mount to the vibrato base plate. You'd need to drill out the holes and add post cups. Hopefully it won't get to that point.

[LOSTVENTURE]

Could they have had to change the neck angle to deal with the different bridge construction. I'm wondering if that older bridge sits slightly higher than the newer roller type bridges?
Don

[Bob Shade]

Hey guys!

Let me try to shed a little more light on the 59 Vibrato topic and how this has moved forward.

First, sadly, Mel's guitar was one of the first we put this vibrato on and shipped it prior to really getting to know the old vibrato design. Mel had trouble keeping his in tune as when the bar was lifted past the 440 point it would stay sharply tuned. I called Ed Elliott to see if he had the same issue or any and he said yes his did the same exact thing. I told him I was going to get it figured out and we could compare notes later.

What I discovered was the bearings that were being used on the early vibrato, (aircraft style) were not only expensive, but basicly did not rotate. So, to make a long story short I needed to eliminate the old style bearing from the equasion.

After trial and error I discovered that the new bearings work perfectly and the tremolo now will stay in tune just as well as the improved Shade vibrato!

Having said that, this 59 is an older style vibrato and I believe in the Shade vibrato we have upped the bar in regards to quality and performance.

HOWEVER, anyone who wants an original real deal, we are painstakingly creating only 50 of these units. The old hand ground polished aluminum tailpiece work is difficult, long, boring, and no one in their right mind would do it. ( ok so I walked into that one ) But, if you want one of the ultra cool 59's you had better get one while you can, because I will not guarantee we will offer these past this run. My assistant John Lackey would most likely rather kill himself or ME for that matter If I decided to make more.

To know what it is like to make a tailpiece like this, imagine yourself working at a grinder and buffer all day, your hands are black, and you have metal splinters in your fingers, then drilling it out the next day and thinking, gee, only 49 more to go. All I can tell you is, try it sometime.

Mel, I am sorry you were basicly the first to get this tail before we got the bugs out, I assure you the unit does not go sharp now.

I need a beer, Bob Shade

[dubtrub]

I need a beer, Bob Shade

AMEN! I'll drink to that.

Those are beautiful guitars. Glad to hear you got the bugs worked.

[Bob Shade]

Just sent a 59 3 tone burst off to Japan! BTW, we also have a very few in Cream and Raven Black!

Bob

[MWaldorf]

Bob,

It sounds like you got the vibrato figured out, which is a good thing. I'm not surprised the fafnir bearing were the source of the problem, given that we tried to removed any other possible source of issues.

I really like the attack of the notes on the one piece bridge, and I've got the flip mute working pretty well too. For this feature alone I think the 59s are a step up from the 60s.

Jim, let us know what you do to get the guitar dialed in.

Mel

now I think I'll go for a beer myself....

[ElTwang]

Ed Elliott put the original vintage aircraft bearings on my Ed Elliott RS model and I've had no problems what so ever keeping the guitar in tune after heavy use of the vibrato arm. It's solid!